Falling Together

Chapter 3 (Lily)

        

What a day it has been. Every day I have been tormented by the "Cole" case, but lately it has gotten worse. The only thing getting me through these days is the face and the voice of the man in my dreams, Adrian. I hope to see him again. I know I only met him once and it was just one simple flight but I don't know, I felt something with him, I felt happy. As soon as I arrived I was welcomed by my mom and dad who of course looked at me with disappointment. They never were on the same page with me when it came to my job. On the other hand, my grandparents were full of encouragement. My grandfather, Tom, always says "Do what you want and what you want will come to you." I always smiled and loved him for that but right now, at this time in my life, I don't feel like anything is going to get better.

         It takes me about an hour to get almost half of my things ready. This used to be my childhood home. I don't remember much but I do remember that I loved it here. But then my mom got a job in Florida, so we moved over there when I was six. All my first memories were made here, like the first time I talked or like the first time I walked. That was actually a cute story.             One day, my parents took me and my older sister to the park. Even when we were little, my sister always hated playing sports. She was more of an indoor person, while I once the one that couldn't stop smiling when I was taken outside. At the park, my dad started rolling the ball towards my sister while I was on my stroller and for a second, the ball started rolling towards me. So, I got off my stroller and started walking towards the ball while my parents stood there in complete shock. From then on, my parents always wanted me to try every sport; soccer, basketball, and even dance. I enjoyed playing all those sports but that wasn't what I wanted to do with my life.

Tom: "Everyone please gather around."

I really don't know what is going on. But by the way he looked; it didn't seem like it was going to be something good. We all gathered around his bed while we waited for him to speak.

Tom: "Where's my other little princess?"

My parents reassured him that she was in an important meeting and had to spend the weekend impressing her boss but she would be here as soon as possible. I look at grandpa but he doesn't look so pleased with what he just heard.

Tom: "Thank you guys for coming. I know it's been a while since I have contacted any of you but I have received some new, that I know you guys would want to know."

He stops to take a breath.

Tom: "I have been diagnosed with terminal cancer."

I couldn't believe what I just heard. He has to be kidding. But he would never joke around like that. My mom started to cry, which made me cry. He can't die now; my life is spiraling out of control. I need him to be my anchor.

I run straight to his bed and hug him; making everyone cry in the room even more. He was the one person in the world I can look up to. He was always there when I needed him. How am I going to grow up without him?

I lay day next to him and lay my head upon his chest. I look up to see his face, trying not to move him, and I can see a hint of glimmer in his eyes when he looks down at me. My grandfather is the strongest person I know. I have never, in all my years, seen him cry.

He fixes his throat and tries to put up a shield, trying to hide all of his emotions.

Tom: "I've been writing my will, but I will not tell you now what it says. I don't have much time, but I just wanted to say that no matter where I am, I will always be with each and every one of you. We are a family and you have to fix any problems you are having before it's too late."

I know he is talking about me and my parents. I love him for helping but there is no way of fixing our problems.

Lily: "I love you, grandpa. You will always take up a huge part in my heart."

I kiss him on his cheek and start to get up to walk out the door. If I stay there any longer, I don't think I would be able to keep myself together. So I decide to go out for a walk and try to get my mind off everything. Grandpa wouldn't want me to weep all day. Now its time to figure out everyone's obsession with California.

       Pictures of the Hollywood sign cannot compare to the real life thing. I was in complete awe. After sitting down and just enjoying some down time for a while, I decided to go to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As soon as I reach the star that says Phil Collins, I automatically start to tear up. My grandpa was one of his biggest fans. I remember when I was young, sitting on the bed in my room and listening to him blast his music from the living room. I always used to yell at him to turn it down but in all honestly I really never minded because I loved to see him so happy and full of life. Even though he will not be with me for much longer, I will always have amazing moments like these to keep his memory alive.

       A few minutes later I decide to go for a Starbucks run. It's probably the only place that will remind me most of Florida. I decide to go with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with no whip cream because honestly it's the only thing I like. As I'm walking to my seat, I trip over someone's computer case and I accidentally spill my entire frappe on their laptop. As I'm freaking out and trying to find napkins or anything that can help save his laptop, all I hear is the man cracking up. When I turn to look at who it is, that's weird enough to laugh after his very expensive looking laptop had just been ruined, I turn to stare into those same familiar blue eyes from the plane ride here. It was Adrian.

Adrian: "Lily, it's nice seeing you again."

I feel like he's still laughing at my mishap just a few seconds ago.

Lily: "and you."

I couldn't even form a sentence longer than those two words. Because all I could think about is that I just completely embarrassed myself while spilling all that was left of my dignity on his laptop. That right away snaps me out of my thoughts and I start to find more napkins to try and save, anything there is to save, from the now drenched computer.

Lily: "I'm so sorry. I completely..."

Adrian: "It's okay Lily. Relax, it's just a computer. I can just simply get another one."

Lily: "I'm very sorry. There has just been a lot going on in my life right now and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. It's all my fault."